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 Guard C.J. Miles scored 25 points, including a clutch 3-pointer in
the second overtime, and Indiana gained an edge in the battle for
the last Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 99-95 victory over
the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night in Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Indiana (38-43) can earn the eighth and final playoff spot in the
East with a victory Wednesday at Memphis, or with a Brooklyn loss at
home to Orlando. The Nets (37-44) would get the final spot with a
victory against the Magic and a Pacers loss to the Grizzlies.
Miles' 3-pointer with 3:38 remaining in the second overtime gave the
Pacers a 90-87 lead, and a basket by forward David West on the next
possession extended the advantage to 92-87.
Point guard George Hill added 24 points for Indiana, and West
finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Pacers played their first double-overtime game since Nov. 3,
2012, against the Sacramento Kings.
"We were in survival mode tonight," said guard George Hill, whose
3-pointer with 2:18 left in the second overtime extended Indiana's
lead to 97-92. "We missed a lot of shots (the Pacers made 38.1
percent), so we had to count on our defense. We kept fighting the
whole night, knowing that we need every single win."
Center Marcin Gortat scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for
the Wizards (46-35), and guard Bradley Beal added 19 points.
Washington made only 35.6 percent of its field-goal attempts,
including only seven of 24 (29.2 percent) from behind the 3-point
arc.
"That was a great win, overcoming a slow start and winning with our
defense," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "No question, our defense
kept us in it. It truly was a playoff atmosphere type of game.
"I couldn't be more proud of our guys, just all-out heart, will and
perseverance. We had so many opportunities to give in. We know that
tomorrow, we win and you're in, you lose you probably are out."
Each team scored only four points in the first overtime, which ended
tied at 85. A basket by Pacers forward Paul George with 22.4 seconds
left in the first OT forced five more minutes.
Indiana did not score in the first 4:03 of the first overtime, but
the Wizards got only two Beal free throws in that time.
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"What we take away from this game is that when we are competitive
and good, our defense gives us a chance to win," Washington coach
Randy Wittman said. "Obviously, we didn't shoot the ball the best
tonight. We had a lot of good looks that didn't go in."
A 3-pointer from Miles and a layup by Hill with 2:34 remaining in
regulation gave Indiana a 76-75 lead, capping a 15-5 blitz. The
Pacers stretched their lead to 79-75, but the Wizards tied it at 79
with 1:17 left on two Wall free throws.
Washington used a 9-0 run, which included a 3-pointer from forward
Rasual Butler, to seize a 70-61 lead with 6:48 remaining before a
Hill field goal ended the Pacers' drought and sliced the deficit to
70-63 with 5:58 to go.
"It was like a playoff game," said Washington guard John Wall, who
had 16 points and 11 assists. "There were a couple of times I
thought I could have done a better job getting us better shots, but
when we did execute, we got a lot of good looks."
NOTES: The Wizards were without G Garrett Temple (right hamstring
strain). The Pacers were missing G C.J. Watson (sore right elbow).
... While the Wizards could neither help nor hurt their playoff
position, coach Randy Wittman opted to play his starters Tuesday
night. "I think it kind if depends on where you are with nicks and
bruises and where you are as a team," Wittman said. ... The Pacers
ran their home winning streak to five games. ... Washington began
the night ranked second in the NBA in field-goal percentage defense
(.434), and Indiana was third (.435). ... The Pacers ranked fourth
in scoring defense (97.1 points per allowed per game). ... The teams
split the four-game season series. ... Indiana won for the 13th time
in its past 14 home games against Washington. ... The Pacers lead
the overall series with the Wizards 92-72, including 60-21 in games
played in Indianapolis.
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